Her plays had soul. Each dialogue was written with a feeling that took the reader or the viewer into a world where laughter, tears and questions about life echoed in people's hearts.
As soon as I met her, I felt her passion and love for art. Together we started to discover the world of play and laughter. Together we explored new ideas and talked about what we could create. We performed on stage and enjoyed the applause of the audience. Her greatest wish was to publish a book of her sketches and plays. Unfortunately, she did not have the money to print it. What she did have were manuscripts and the hope that someone would recognise her efforts.
To help her realise her dream, I decided to come to her rescue. I approached Bojan Ekselensky, the President of the Celje Literary Society (CLD), and asked him to make it possible for her to publish a book. I told him how important it was that her sketches and plays were written down for future generations, as they could be a source of inspiration and laughter for everyone. He promised to take my suggestion into consideration and that the Society would support the publication of her book.
Mira Gorenšek, the CLD secretary, with the President's support, started to carefully copy all her plays and sketches. They worked flat out to get everything ready for printing. But in the meantime, Jelka fell seriously ill. The hospital walls became her new world. Acute leukaemia began to ravage her body. Her health was getting worse every day, but she never lost hope.
I have not given up either. I knew I had to help her and make her wish come true. So I asked Bojan Ekselensky again to hurry up and publish the book. I knew that if it happened soon, Jelka would still be able to hold the book in her hands. This would fulfil her last and greatest wish. Bojan promised to do everything possible to get the book published as soon as possible.
The book has finally been printed. The CLD President took it to Jelka in hospital. All weak, she did not even recognise it at first, but then she clutched the book in her hands like a precious treasure and her eyes shone with happiness. Her greatest wish had been fulfilled. Finally, she had the opportunity to share all her plays and sketches, which reflected life, laughter and reality, with others.
The happiness on her face as she held her book in her hands will always remain in my memory. Five days later, Jelka's life was extinguished, but the book that had fulfilled her last wish remained. And with it, she remained in the hearts of all who loved her. A gift of friendship, love and hope that never dies.
Jelka is gone, but her work has been preserved.
Justina Strašek
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